Handling Mergers & Acquisitions as a Security Leader with Ron Park and Dwayne Smith

Although mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are strategic moves that can propel companies toward greater market share, enhanced capabilities, and increased innovation, one critical aspect often overlooked is cybersecurity. Ensuring robust cybersecurity during the M&A process is paramount, as it safeguards the integrity of both companies involved, protects sensitive data, and mitigates potential risks that could derail the transaction or devalue the acquisition.

In this podcast episode, Greg Crowley, Chief Information Security Officer at eSentire, discusses the role of cybersecurity in M&As with Ron Park, Operating Partner & Technology Advisor to PE firms, and Dwayne Smith, SVP, Security and Global CISO of PrismHR.

Together, Ron, Dwayne, and Greg discuss the importance of incorporating cybersecurity considerations in the due diligence process, the practical aspects of evaluating a company's security posture, managing risks, and ensuring a smooth post-acquisition integration.

Key discussion points include:

• The various stakeholders involved in M&A processes (e.g., buyers, sellers, and third-party consultants) and key areas to focus on during tech and product diligence, including cybersecurity, organizational structure, and technology processes.
• The importance of having a standardized playbook for M&A processes and the challenges of dealing with disparate cybersecurity practices across merged entities.
• The critical need for effective communication with non-technical stakeholders.

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About Cyber Talks

From ransomware attacks to supply chain compromises, eSentire’s Cyber Talks podcast will delve into the world of the latest cyber threats that are impacting businesses globally. Join our team of security experts as we speak with C-level executives and security practitioners about the cyber risks affecting their business and how they’re addressing these challenges.

About eSentire

eSentire, Inc., the Authority in Managed Detection and Response (MDR), protects the critical data and applications of 2000+ organizations in 80+ countries, across 35 industries from known and unknown cyber threats by providing Exposure Management, Managed Detection and Response and Incident Response services designed to build an organization’s cyber resilience & prevent business disruption. Founded in 2001, eSentire protects the world’s most targeted organizations with 65% of its global base recognized as critical infrastructure, vital to economic health and stability. By combining open XDR platform technology, 24/7 threat hunting, and proven security operations leadership, eSentire's award-winning MDR services and team of experts help organizations anticipate, withstand and recover from cyberattacks. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.esentire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eSentire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.